HIGH MAINTENANCE

Phillip Van, 2006

NARRATIVE

The narrative follows a simple three act structure:

1. Jane is unhappy with her current model and eventually deactivates him. 

2. Jane orders a replacement model from the company and sends off her old model with a kiss. 

3. Paul seems to meet all of Jane’s requirements until she fails to meet his.

MISE EN SCENE

CLOTHES

The clothes are quite formal, almost representing the title of the film, high maintenance. however, they aren’t too made up, which is an extremely high contrast to the main point of the film and how vanity plays a huge part in society.

LIGHTING

The lighting is low key. the main centre of light is from the table, which illuminates the pairs faces as it focuses on them. the simplicity of the table is almost a high contrast to the pair, especially the woman.

SOUND

The emphasis of the chewing sounds makes the audience feel uncomfortable . It creates more tension between the pair and creates an atmosphere which makes the viewer question what is going on.

DECOR

The pair of placed on a long dining table, which creates a distance showing how the two are drifting apart.

THE SETTING

The female character is at the centre so we believe the story to be about her.

CAMERA WORK

• It emphasises distance between the couple
• Close ups show the emotion of the characters- really just the female character.

THE BUTTON

As she goes to order a new model, the music is playful. it highlights how we are so unsatisfied with our day to day lives, and emphasises the power of technology and that our boredom is solved through a click of a button.

The modern desires explored through this scene show how we only seek physical attraction and ignore the other important aspects of a relationship.

THE TWIST

The twist in the narrative shows how her new model actually wanted freedom from her. he can now smoke indoors, which she protested strongly against, and watch football.

DIRECTOR

Van says, ‘I aimed to make a film about the future but emblematic of our era’. – He achieves this through the blunt nature of the film. The film is direct, and speaks openly about the selfishness of our desires, and how technology has blinded our visions of love.